A few years ago, if my memory is not at fault, Oliver Sacks wrote that one of his pleasures as a medical undergraduate was reading in the bathtub. What he enjoyed in particular were Victorian case reports, because the Victorians knew how to write, and because case studies were (and still are) of particular interest to Dr. Sacks.
In this age of meta-analysis and systematic review, we should remember that we are well served by the occasional reading of an individual case. A good case report tells a story: it introduces a patient, presents a problem, offers clues to the resolution of that problem, and usually provides an answer. Most of all, it reminds us that direct interaction with the patient is the essence of medicine. And it doesn't involve statistics.
Now for my confession. We have accepted so many case reports that we fell behind in publishing them and are producing this single (and exceptional) issue devoted to the resolution of our backlog. We cannot duplicate the prose of Victorian medicine, nor can we draw you a bath, but we can hope that you find these papers enjoyable and informative.
James T. Willerson, MD
Editor-in-Chief, Texas Heart Institute Journal; and President and Medical Director, Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston